The Indonesian government's decision to restrict imports was condemned by the United States. According to the US, the move is not a healthy thing and hinders trade.Bilateral trade between Indonesia and the United States in agriculture reached a very significant value in 2016, which reached 104 trillion. For America, trading in this sector is a lucrative deal for both parties. However, hampering healthy trade between the two countries by restricting imports as Indonesia has done recently, is not considered appropriate. The criticism was conveyed by US Ambassador to Indonesia Joseph R Donovan at the US-Indonesia Investment Initiative 2017 in Jakarta.
"We understand that Indonesia wants to help producers in the region to increase their revenues, but this can be achieved best, through research and development to improve productivity and improve local infrastructure," Donovan said in a speech.In this case, Donovan said that America understands Indonesia's desire to create food security. However, according to him, food security does not always mean self-sufficiency. Support to regional agricultural production, Donovan said, could co-exist with imports to achieve a stable and stable domestic food security. "I'm sure we agree that we do not want our mutually beneficial agricultural trade relations to be adversely affected by protectionist policies from short-term outcomes that will disrupt markets and raise consumer prices," he said.
According to him, the US government today many companies are eager to sell commodities in Indonesia if the existing circumstances support. Many American companies see Indonesia, which has the fourth largest population in the world, continues to grow and connect. "There are many challenges in running Indonesia's business, but in my view, President Jokowi's efforts to improve infrastructure and create ease of business in Indonesia will be able to overcome these challenges," he said. (one)